Airship



May 2, 1939. w w. 5 2,157,045

AIRSHIP FiledDec. 20, 1937 SSheets-Sheet 1 W. WIESE May 2,1939;

AIRSHIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

v 36 Figure 4 is a section on Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to an airship of the dirigible or lighter than air type, and has for its object to providethe ship with means in a manher as hereinafter referred to wherebythe ship 5 is propelled in a satisfactory manner and a complete control may be had at all times with respect to the lateral, ascending and descending movements of the ship.

The invention further ms, to provide,'in a manner as hereinafter set forth, ameans for the purpose referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, readily installed, thoroughly eflicient in its use, conveniently operated, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

To the above ends essentially and which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangements of parts for thepurpose aforesaid,

which will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood'that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings: i

Figurelis a perspective-view of a: dirigible or airship in flight having installed therewith the means, for the purpose referred to in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2is a front elevation of the airship shown in Figure 1', I

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the driving means for the propellers,

line 4-4, Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a top plan 'view'of the form of wingstructures in accordance with this invention,

Figure 6 is a view looking towards the leading edge of the structureshown in Figure 5,

Figure '7 is a section on line'I- l, Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a view looking towards the trailing edge of a wing-structure, I

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9, Figure 6, and

Figure 10 is a section on 'line Ill-Ill, Figure 9.

The airship is to body i with a set of wing-structures 2,.the number of which will be as desired, preferably four and as so shown. The wing-structures of each set are disposed in staggered relation.

The wing-structures 2 of the sets are of like form and the description of one will apply to the other. Each wing-structure includes a wing body 3 of stream-lined form having its leading and trailing edges indicated at 4, 5, its tip at 8 66 and its root at 1. The leading edge 4 is horito others be provided at each side of its ,zontally disposed and arranged substantially at right angles to that side of the body I from which the wing-structure extends. The wing body '3 has a rounded that. .The trailing edge 5 of the wing body 3 has a cutout 8 in which is arranged an aileron 9 conforming in contour to that of and corresponding in width and length to the cutout. The aileron 9 gradually increases-in width from its outer to its inner side andhas its trailing edge I0 flush with the trailing edge 5 of the wing body 3. The latter and the aileron 9 sets up the wing structure as of gradually increasing width from the rounded tip, 6 of wing body 4 to the root 1 of the latter. The aileron 9 has its outer side spaced from the tip 6 and its inner side spaced from root 1.

The aileron 9 is of known form and includes the transverse spars II which are apertured as at l2 to decrease the weight of the spars. These latter lengthwise conform in contour to the transverse sectional shape of the aileron. The latter has upstanding brace 13 to which the spars are. attached. The brace 13 extends from the outer side to the inner side of the aileron. The leading edge of the latter is rounded as indicated at 14 and seats inthe rounded inner wall l4 of the cutout B.

The wing body,4 is also provided withspars I5 and braces l6, l1 lengthwise thereof. The brace I6 is disposed in proximity to the wall M of the cutout 8 and is provided with spaced rearwardly extending parallel bearing members l8: which project through the walls [4, l4 in the aileron 9. Revolubly mounted in the members I8 is a'shaft l9 which is fixed to aileron 9 and has its ends mounted in bearings 20 secured to the side walls 2| of the cutout 8. The members l8 in connection with the shaft l9 and bearings 20 "couple the aileron 9 with the wing body 4 and permit it to be angularly adjusted relative to said wing body. The walls l4, M are disposed at an inclination corresponding substantially to the inclined trailing edge of the wing-structure.

The wing body 3 is formed in its top rearwardly of the wall I4 of the cutout 8 with a set of spaced aligned openings 22 substantially 'at the lengthwise center of the wing-structure. Extending through each opening 22 is an adjusting rod 23 pivotally connected at its rear end as at 24 to an upstanding ing 25 fixed upon the top of theaileron 9. The forward end of the rod 23 is pivotally connected as at 26 to a crank 21 fixed on a rotatable torque tube 28 carried by the wing body 3, extending through the spars of the latter and into the body of the airship and conwith the bottom: 32 and a part-of the top of housing 3| provide a chamber 39 for containing a and extending forwardly fromthe brace member I1 is a set of spaced bearings for a purpose to be referred to.

Formed integral with, arranged over and merg-f ing at its sides into the top of the wing body 3,

as .well as extending forwardly from the leading edge of the wing-structure 2 is an stream lined housing 3| disposed in transverse relation with respect to the wing-structure. Thehousing 3| includes a fixed rear wall 32, a bottom 32 which extends rearwardly beyondwall 32 and is fixed to brace member |1.- The housing includes a fixed front wall .33 provided with anaxial opening and a rearwardly extending tubular bear- J ing 35 which is. flush with the opening 34. Arranged within, the housing, as well asbeing con-, nected thereto is a partition 36, having an axial opening 31' and a rearwardly extending tubular bearing 38 which is flush with the opening 31. The wall 32 and a partition 36, in connection body of oil or lubricant which is supplied to chamber 39 through a normally closed opening 39.

' the airship and extending through one side of of an elongated tubular bearing 42.

thelatter is a pair of. spaced struts 40, 4| which extend into housing 3| and merge into one side The struts 40, 4| constitute a hanger for the bearing 42 and said struts between the housing 3| and the I body of the airship are enclosed by a casing 43.

into the chamber 39 Mounted in the bearings 35,- 38 and 42 is a driving shaft 44 for a propeller 45. The shaft 44- extends forwardly from the end wall 33 of housing 3| and has keyed thereon, as at 46 the hub 47 of the propeller 45. The blades of the latter are indi I cated at 48 and. extend from the hub 41. The latter at its forwardend is mortised as at 49 and seated against the mortise :is a hub cap 50. Holdfast means 5| are employed for fixedly securing the cap 50 to the hub 41. The shaft 44 at its forward end extends-into the cap 50 and carries a washer 52 and aholding nut 53. Washer 52 abuts against thehub 4'! and the nut 53 has threaded engagement with the reduced end 54 of the shaft. The nut 53 abuts washer 52. Arranged and operating in the chamber 39 is a driving gear 55 of bevelled form for operating a bevelled gear56 on theinner end of the shaft 44. The gear 56 is arranged within chamber 39. The gears 55, 56 operate in the-oil supplied to the chamber 39. The gear 55 is carried on one end of a power transmitting shaft 51 and extends through one side of the housing 3|. The said side of h0using'3l carries a bearing 58 for shaft 51. The latter'is also mounted in the bearings 30 which extend from the brace l1.

The wing-structures of each set-are arranged in staggered relation thereby disposing the propellers of the set in a like relation, and with reference to Figures 3 "and 4, the driving means is illustrated for the staggered arrangement of each of the sets of propellers. -One set of pro pellers is generally indicated at A and the other set at B. The motorfor' driving the propellers of the set A is indicatedfat C. The motor for whereby a reduction in drive is Leading from the interior of the body of or computed from airfoil" data. 1 w

,by cables throughoutthe ship.

driving the set of propellers B is indicated at D. The main line shaft extending from each motor is indicated at E and it has associated therewith propellers H'consists of a bevelled gear J on the line'shaftE for operating a bevelled gear K car- ,ried on the lower endof shaft 51.

The diameter.

P pellers I of the i of bevelled gear K is less than that of 'g'earJ I obtained. .The operating means, for each of: thepropellers I I consists of a bevelled gear L mounted 1on1: line shaft F' and :abevelled gear QM on the shaft 51. The gear M is of greater.diameter thangear-L". whereby a. reduction. in c drive ds obtained. [With respect-to one of the] prop'ellersfI'H of each, set, a

reversing means forlthe' drivethereof is employed i connection therewithforgthe purpose 'offbrak- ,ing, when landing. {In this connec'tion'ffthegear- K of such propeller" lskeyedonshaft 5118.11! 15.

carried by a collar-N ta .which'is, attached 'a'gea'r 0c! the same diameteras and bodily moves with I the gear K-whena reverse drive, is desired.

Shifting means for the collar N is indicated at P and is so. arranged ,Ith'at' the gear "K'may be meshed with the gear Jv or the gea r-ltiiineshedv When gear 0 is inmesh with -i gear J'the propeller'is reversely driven with. re-' spect, to the direction in which the other pro pellersfclrive, but when gear K is inmesh with gear J the propellers operate inthe same direcwith the latter.

tion as. the other propellers. v

The length of each wing-structure .is;to be determined by the proper clearance at'the, hull or body of the vehicle. structure is to be determined by wind tunneltests The controls are to be operated What I claim-is:

1. Inan air ship, a wing, astream-lined hous ing disposed transversely of, projecting forwardly from and merging into the top of the wing, said housing including housing with a bearing chamber =and an ioil chamber, said partition and front wall being formed withialigned bearings, a propeller shaft mounted in said bearings and extendedoutwardfor securing the hub against said front w'all','an enclosure connected to the hub for the said meanscarried by the The area; of each wing- I 0 I shaft, and a fixed suspend"-' front and rear walls and a partition correlating with said-walls to form the' ed bearing arranged in saidbearing' chamber for said shaft. I

2. In anvair ship, a wing havinginherent parts providing a housing disposed transversely thereof, said housingbeing formed with a leading and a trailing chamber,

trailing wall, saidhousing being formedin one I side thereof with a communicating respectively with said'leading and trailing chambers, the said walls of the leading" chamber being providedwith aligned bearings,

mounted in said bearings ex f from the walls of the leading chamber and carrying a bevel gear positioned ina propelling shaft tended respectively the trailing chamber, means extending through" leading and a trailing opening; i

05' I each havinga leading and a parts" providing a housing the trailing opening into the trailing chamber for operating said gear to drive said shaft, a propeller fixed to the abutting the leading wall of the leading chamber, a fixed bearing for said shaft arranged within the leading chamber, and means extending through said leading opening into said leading chamber for suspending said fixed bearing.

3. In an airship,

disposed transversely thereof, said housing being formed with a leading and a trailing chamber, each having a leading and a trailing wall, said housing being formed in one side thereof with a leading and a trailing opening communicating respectively with said leading and trailing chambers, the said walls of the leading chamber being provided with aligned bearings, a propelling the leading chamber and carrying a bevel gear positioned in the trailing chamber, means extending through the trailing" opening into the trailing chamber for operating said gear to drive said shaft, a propeller fixed to the shaft and including a hub abutting the leading wall of the leading chamber, a fixed bearing for'said shaft arranged within the leadingchamber, means extending through said leading opening into said leading chamber for suspending said fixed bearing, said wing including a fixed brace rearwardly of said trailing chamber, and means carried by said brace for supporting the means extending into the trailing chamber.

4. In an air ship, a wing having inherent parts disposedtransversely thereproviding a housing of, said housing being formed with a leading and shaft and including a hub a wing having inherent shaft mounted in said bearings extended respectively from the walls of .apertured side of the housing.

.a trailing chamber, each having a leading and a trailing wall, said housing being formed in one side thereof with a leading and a trailing opening communicating respectively with said leading and trailing chambers, the said walls of the leading chamber being provided with aligned bearings, a propelling shaft mounted in said bearings extended respectively from the walls of the leading chamber and carrying a bevel gear positioned in the trailing chamber, means extending through' the trailing opening into the trailing chamber for operating said gear to drive said shaft, a propeller fixed to the shaft and including a hub abutting the leading wall of the leading chamber, a fixed bearing for said shaft arranged within the leading chamber, means extending through said leading opening into said leading chamber for suspending said fixed bearing, and means connected to one side of the housing for enclosing the means extending into the leading chamber. a

5. In an air ship, a wing, a streamlined structure merging into the top of the wing and .providing a propeller shaft housing having therein spaced aligned bearings for the shaft, said housing being formed with an opening in one side, a pair of downwardly inclined stationary struts, one directed at a forward inclination towards the other, said'struts extending through said opening into the housing, a propeller shaft bearingintegral said struts and aligning the said other bearings,

with the lower ends of with and spaced form v and a stationary downwardly inclined casing for said struts integral at its lower end with the WIESE. 

